Operational support to drug trafficking cases

Drug trafficking was once again one of the top two crime types dealt with by the Agency in 2023. Eurojust handled almost 2 500 cases, of which just under half were new cases opened in 2023 and just over half were ongoing cases from previous years.

The number of drug trafficking cases addressed by the Agency continues to increase, with more than double the number of cases registered in 2023 compared to 2020. The number of joint investigation teams and coordinated action days dedicated to drug-related cases also increased in 2023 compared to previous years.

During 2023, Germany initiated the largest number of cross-border drug trafficking cases at Eurojust, followed by Italy. In 2023, France was the country most requested to participate in cross-border drug trafficking cases at the Agency, followed by Spain and the Netherlands.

Cocaine and cannabis cases on the rise

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the European Union, with cocaine in second place. The number of cannabis and cocaine cases referred to Eurojust has been steadily rising over the last five years, with a significant increase in cocaine cases in 2023.

Large quantities of cocaine are trafficked through Europe’s seaports, which has led to unprecedented availability of cocaine in the European Union and a growing consumer market. Record quantities have been seized in the European Union every year since 2017. Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain report the highest quantities seized, reflecting their importance as entry points for cocaine[5].

Eurojust has always dealt with a smaller number of heroin cases, but since 2019 this number was steadily increasing. In 2023, however, Eurojust saw a dramatic drop in the number of heroin cases referred to the Agency. 2023 also saw a small decrease in the number of cases referred to Eurojust related to synthetic or other types of drugs.

EUR 25.6 billion worth of drugs seized in 2023

EUR 25.6 billion worth of drugs were seized during 2023 with the support of Eurojust – more than double the amount in 2022. Substantial amounts of cannabis, cocaine, heroin and synthetic drugs were seized, particularly at European ports, thanks in part to the Agency’s facilitation of judicial cooperation.

Strengthening cooperation between European ports

Ports are crucial for the transport of goods across the EU and the proper functioning of the single market. They contribute to around 75% of the EU’s external trade volumes and 31% of the EU’s internal trade volumes[6]. However, the strategic role of ports makes them vulnerable to drug smuggling and exploitation by high-risk criminal networks.

In April 2023, a high-level delegation of French magistrates from the Court of Appeal in Aix-en-Provence visited Eurojust to discuss current trends in drug trafficking in ports with the Italian and Spanish judicial authorities. Following an analysis of the increase in narcotics trafficking through the Port of Marseille, the General Public Prosecutor's Office of Aix-en-Provence initiated contact with their Italian and Spanish counterparts to strengthen cooperation in the Mediterranean ports.

Following this first meeting, the French authorities plan to establish a task force for Mediterranean ports, bringing together judicial and law enforcement authorities to provide a stronger and more effective response to drug trafficking. Moreover, in October 2023, the European Commission proposed to strengthen the resilience of ports through a European Ports Alliance, of which Eurojust is now a member.

Encrypted communication as a facilitator of drug crime

Criminal networks are highly skilled at communicating secretly and concealing their plans, as shown by the dismantling of encrypted communication tools such as EncroChat, Sky ECC and AN0M, which have led to many arrests and seizures, thanks to the support of Eurojust and Europol. A significant proportion of Eurojust drug trafficking cases in 2023 were investigations linked to data coming from these encrypted communication networks.

In addition to the illegal use of encrypted communications, Eurojust’s casework illustrates that these high-risk criminal networks use corruption, infiltrate the legal economy, commit acts of violence and run parallel underground financial systems to hide their assets from detection.

Increased cooperation with third countries

Increasingly, drug trafficking investigations have a link to countries outside of the EU and, more and more, judicial practitioners are turning to these countries for cooperation. During 2023, Eurojust witnessed a rise in the number of requests for cooperation with third countries on drug trafficking cases. To enable this, Eurojust provided support through its Liaison Prosecutors posted at the Agency. Thanks to their involvement, the Agency led a series of very successful drug trafficking operations in 2023.

Countries with a Liaison Prosecutor located at Eurojust[7] received 708 requests to participate in cases related to different crime types in 2023. 172 of these requests were related to drug trafficking cases, and led to more than 100 coordination meetings and almost 70 joint investigation teams. The United Kingdom, Serbia and Albania were the third countries most requested to participate in drug-related cross-border investigations during 2023. The Agency dealt with an increasing number of cases involving other third countries where Eurojust has Contact Points appointed by national authorities.

Eurojust has recently published guidelines for judicial practitioners on cooperation with third countries in drug trafficking cases. This practical guide highlights recurring issues and challenges in judicial cooperation on drug trafficking cases between EU Member States and countries with a Liaison Prosecutor posted at Eurojust.

Eurojust’s contribution to fighting drug trafficking at EU level

Throughout the year, Eurojust continued to contribute to the implementation of the EU Drugs Action Plan for 2021-2025. The Agency carried out its casework in this area in line with the actions set out in the Council Roadmap to combat drug trafficking, adopted in June 2022.

During 2023, Eurojust actively contributed to the two drug-related Operational Action Plans of EMPACT (the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) by representing the judicial cooperation perspective in a significant number of operational actions.

The Agency also continued its strong cooperation with Europol, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and the Council of Europe to ensure effective alignment and greater impact in this area.  

New EU roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime

In October 2023, the European Commission presented a new EU roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime. The roadmap establishes four priority areas: to strengthen the resilience of logistic hubs through a European Ports Alliance, to dismantle criminal networks, to increase prevention efforts and to strengthen cooperation with international partners. Eurojust is highlighted as a main EU actor across these priorities in 6 of the 17 actions listed.

Together with other EU bodies and Member States, Eurojust will continue to play a key role in strengthening law enforcement operations in ports, mapping the criminal networks that pose the biggest threats to society, facilitating digital and financial investigations, and boosting EU cooperation with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Most wanted Hungarian drug criminals arrested in Spain with Eurojust support

Between 2020 and 2021: The suspects operate a professionally equipped and automated cannabis plantation and processing facility in Hungary.

May 2021: The Hungarian authorities dismantle the facility. During the operation, the authorities seize 165 kg of marijuana and cocaine and assets worth over HUF 380 million (EUR 983 700). The authorities identify all 7 members of the criminal network responsible for importing 100 kg of marijuana and 10 kg of cocaine into Hungary on at least 10 occasions. Soon after the operation, two members are arrested, and the other five are placed on Europol’s Europe’s Most Wanted list. Meanwhile, three suspects flee to Spain.

18 July 2023: The Hungarian authorities contact their Spanish counterparts to carry out a search of the suspects’ hideout, where they are renting a house under false identities in the Spanish town of Calpe. The authorities request assistance from Eurojust for the execution of an EIO. On the same day, thanks to round-the-clock cooperation between the National Desks of Hungary and Spain at Eurojust, the Hungarian authorities are able to issue an EIO.

19 July 2023: Just one day later, the EIO is executed in Spain. During the joint operation, the three suspects are arrested in Spain.

Crackdown on criminal network that produced and distributed methamphetamine in Europe

Crime: An organised crime group uses a Romanian company to purchase raw materials and incorporate them into two pharmaceutical products, 50 and 120 milligram tablets of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. They use a formula that allows them to quickly extract these raw materials for the production of methamphetamine in clandestine laboratories.

Between January 2021 and February 2023, the members of the criminal group organise the transport and delivery of 168 788 870 tablets containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, from which at least 4.7 tonnes of methamphetamine is produced and distributed in Europe.

Action: Between 26 February and 2 March 2023, joint action days are organised to dismantle the criminal group. 16 suspects are arrested in the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, and over 3.3 million tablets containing raw material for the production of the drug are seized.

In Poland, 3 184 500 pills containing ephedrine worth approximately EUR 840 000 (PLN 4 012 470) and 121 776 pills containing pseudoephedrine are seized. Additionally, PLN 366 200 and EUR 177 215 are also seized. In Romania, approximately 3 tonnes of raw materials, several batches of medicines and approximately EUR 600 000 are seized. In the Czech Republic, EUR 148 163, CZK 711 082 and PLN 22 433 are seized, while in Slovakia, EUR 1 129 220 are seized.

Eurojust's Role: Eurojust supports the establishment of a joint investigation team between the countries involved in November 2022. The Agency hosts three coordination meetings to facilitate judicial cooperation and support the coordinated investigative efforts.

JUSTICE DONE: During 2023, three of the five suspects prosecuted in Slovakia are convicted. One suspect is sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment and the forfeiture of the items recovered during the search. A second and third suspect are both sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with probation for three years, along with the obligation to undergo psychological or psychiatric treatment, and required to forfeit items recovered during the search.